Features Government Affairs
Manitoba superintendents fear pending legislation could adversely affect future use of pesticides

By Myron Love 

Manitoba golf course superintendents are concerned that potential new
provincial regulations banning pesticide use will put a crimp in their
weed control efforts.

“The province is saying that they will follow the lead of other provinces, and we hope they will,” said Bob Hamm, the Manitoba Golf Superintendents Association’s executive director. “I believe that British Columbia, for example, is partially repealing the ban.

“We want to make sure that the government has all of the facts before they make their decision.”

The provincial government has announced it is seeking public input on new rules for non-essential pesticides. Legislation is expected late in the fall or early next year. Manitoba is among the last provinces to tackle the issue of cosmetic pesticides.

Hamm reports that while golf courses are sometimes criticized for their pesticide use, the province’s 65 golf courses accounted for only about six per cent of pesticides—for weed and fungus control—used by permit holders province-wide last year. The golf courses used just more than 11,000 litres of chemicals in 2011. The provincial total was 166,000 litres.

Hamm notes that golf courses use mainly Instrata and Banner Maxx to kill snow mould. 

“All of our superintendents are IPM-certified,” he said. “We don’t just go out and haphazardly spread chemicals. On an 800-acre course, maybe you spray five or six acres.”